9 Kenosha County high school volleyball stars: WIAA state playoffs edition

The top-seeded Indian Trail boys squad is 18-16 and seeded first in its sectional. The Hawks battle No. 2 Oak Creek (11-10) Saturday at 4 p.m. at South Milwaukee High School. In another sectional, top-seeded Westosha Central (26-1) takes on No. 2 Burlington (23-12), a strong rival over the years, at Central High School at 4:30 p.m.

The efforts may not always be the best statistically but are notable. We then invite readers to vote for the Supernova, the performance that stood out the most.

Audrey Heiring wraps up decorated career in style

The Christian Life Eagles may have fallen in a sectional semifinal Friday night in straight sets, but Audrey Heiring wrapped up a huge postseason individually.

After receiving a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed in Division 4, the Eagles defeated Johnson Creek and Deerfield before losing Friday night to No. 1 Heritage Christian.

In two playoff wins, Heiring, a 6-foot-1 senior that will be playing at NCAA Division I Liberty University next year, has stood out as one of the area's best players. She totaled 54 kills, four aces, six blocks and 44 digs in the victories.

With the team's regional championship, co-head coach Victoria Villarreal became the first person in Eagles history to win a regional title as a player (2021) and coach.

"Ultimately, Audrey Heiring has been a solid rock for us as an all-around player," Christian Life athletic director Troy Tennyson said. "She has over 600 kills this year, is second on the team in digs, and is the vocal leader on and off of the court."

Shelby Fabbri shines on offense, defense

Along with the Eagles, Westosha Central enjoyed the county's deepest playoff runs among girls teams.

Shelby Fabbri's performance in the regional final propelled Central to sectionals, where the third-seeded Falcons lost in three sets to No. 2 Oak Creek. Star player Payton Scifres hurt her shoulder in the first set and had to miss the rest of the match, so Central head coach Megan Awe said it affected the team tremendously.

"That was not the way we wanted to go out," Awe said. "It had all the makings to be a great match."

In an epic, five-set thriller, the Falcons won the regional championship against Southern Lakes foe Lake Geneva Badger, winning the fifth set 15-13. Fabbri balled out with 19 kills, two aces, 27 digs and three blocks. 

Maddie Mauser had 24 digs, Anna Hansen added 18 kills and Payton Scrifres notched 41 assists.

"Shelby, Payton, Maddie and Anna all had a great match," Awe said. "Shelby's a relentless kid. Against Badger, she came up with some clutch shots. Her and Megan controlled the back row. She just keeps our team calm and collected. She's all over the court, and that's why we love her. She's being recruited as a libero, and she's athletic. She plays in the offseason at a high level."

Central finished the season 20-14, won the Southern Lakes Conference with an undefeated record. It was their first outright title in 10 years.

Asrianna Bushman shows her versatility

In a city rivalry, Asrianna Bushman stood out for the Indian Trail Hawks.

In a regional matchup, she had 14 assists and four aces. The Hawks saw their season end in a regional championship loss to Burlington in three sets.

"We played some great volleyball and beat Tremper," Indian Trail coach Ashley Kuehl said. "Asrianna plays with great confidence."

Kenley Didinsky wise beyond her years

The Bradford girls team lost in the opening round of regionals at Lake Geneva Badger on Oct. 24, but the Red Devils battled in a five-set thriller. They finished the season 15-21.

Coach Jessica Hegewald was quick to praise the team's overall effort and specifically the play of sophomore outside hitter Kenley Didinsky.

"It was a great match. Our effort and energy was fantastic and tonight we got a real good look at the future of Bradford volleyball," Hegewald said.

"Kenley Didinsky lead our offense, and she continues to grow in skill and confidence and we will need her to be a leader as we move forward into next season."

Didinsky paced the Red Devil offense with 14 kills. Angela Parker and Rihanna Barker built a wall of blocks with four solo blocks each.

Graham Forester sets the table 

The Westosha Central Falcons are still alive in the boys volleyball playoffs and have been undoubtedly the area's best squad all season.

Graham Forester is the engine that keeps the boys running.

At 26-1, the Falcons have reached the stratosphere and beyond with ferocious flight, losing four sets all season and not losing a set since Oct. 17.

In two 3-0 playoff victories, Forester, a senior setter, is averaging 20.5 assists, and he added three digs, three blocks and two aces in the team's sectional semifinal win over Union Grove.

Forester tallied his 1,500th career assist in early October.

"This kid is nothing short of amazing," Central coach Drew Cox said. "He is able to lead a very dynamic offense that continues to keep the defense guessing. He is our leader and captain. He has really stepped up and shut down some key opposing outsides with his height and vertical on the right side."

Briar Thoe helps lead offense in sectional sweep

The Indian Trail boys volleyball team swept Horlick/Park in a sectional semifinal to set up Saturday night's winner-take-all showdown with Southeast Conference foe Oak Creek at South Milwaukee.

Junior right side hitter Briar Thoe helped spark the offense with 10 assists, and he has been a key attacker on the offensive end all season.

Mason Fiene added 32 assists, Tyler Sioco had 12 kills and Evan Feudner had eight kills and three aces.

With a victory Saturday, it would be the school's fourth state tournament appearance. The Hawks advanced to the final stage in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2021, with their only match victory coming in a WIAA Division 1 state quarterfinal in 2018.

Brooke Wamboldt goes down swinging

In a playoff opener, the Trojans of Tremper couldn't contain rival Indian Trail, falling 25-20, 25-17, 25-15.

However, a huge bright spot was Brooke Wamboldt.

The senior outside hitter led the squad along with Aubrey Juga with four kills, and Wamboldt added three aces and five digs.

"This roster is filled with such amazing young ladies and I am proud of them all," Tremper coach Ashley Bermudez said. "They will be greatly missed. Now as a program, we need to continue to sharpen things and rebuild together. 'There is no me in we' and that is our future message."

Anabelle Cerny sparks Lancers

A 4 seed in Division 4, the St. Joseph Lancers unfortunately couldn't pick up a playoff win this season.

However, they went down with valiant effort in a five-set loss, 25-15, 25-27, 25-15, 23-25, 7-15.

Anabelle Cerny, a senior outside hitter, put together a loaded stat line with a .205 hitting percentage.

She had 15 kills, 15 assists, 21 digs and one ace. 

Cerny is a multi-sport athlete, and she helped lead the Lancers to an 8-11 record this season.

Aubry Kamholz stuffs the stat sheet for Pacers

Shoreland Lutheran had a bit of a down year, especially after reaching a sectional final in 2022, but Aubry Kamholz stepped up big time at the net. The setter notched 231 assists and 180 digs, and she was the best player in the Pacers' four-set playoff loss two weeks ago, according to head coach Kara Kassulke.

Kamholz also led the team in aces.

A team captain, Aubry played setter and sometimes all positions.

"I believe that she had one of her best games in our final regional match against Brodhead," Kassulke said. "She was great at encouraging all of her teammates. She was able to place her serves exactly where I asked her to, which scored us a few needed points in the second and third set. She played very well and worked hard to keep the team morale up."

Supernova voting

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